Sunday, January 17, 2016

Rainy Day Women

This weekend ended up being rather busy even though it didn't look that way from a calendar standpoint. Friday night we went to a surprise birthday party for one of my old coworkers I hadn't seen in almost 2 years. He was my account manager at the idiot place with no soul, and we always had a special bond. Much like me he was just not cut out for our employer due to his introverted ways (sound familiar), and sadly ended up being laid off when Eric was. Thankfully he's doing well now and is married to his childhood sweetheart. He was TOTALLY shocked when he walked in and saw all of us sitting there, and we had a great time catching up. He's changed for the better and seems a lot more relaxed and happy, which was good to see.

Saturday was super busy! I started out the day by taking Molly for a 2.2 mile walk after breakfast. I decided to go rogue and do the library park instead of our usual spot, it's just a lot more naturey and pretty, plus I had library books I needed to return. I tend to avoid taking her there because sometimes asshats like to walk their dogs with no leash, but since it was storming I figured we were the only two beings dumb enough to go out in that. We had a really nice walk, and I can tell that Molly was super into it. She actually walked and was looking around the whole time instead of sniffing every little thing, which is her stall tactic when she's bummed out and doesn't want to walk. The rain actually held off during our walk, which was a relief. Sadly our horrible summer has segued into a horrible winter. Usually we get some dry, cold days but it's mostly been storming since November!

We didn't run into unleashed dogs, but we ran into something that irritates me almost as much. Molly is a delicate flower, and much like her mom, she doesn't have much use for her own kind. She absolutely loves people, never meets a stranger and wants desperately for everyone to pet her, but she is just not into other dogs. It's the reason we ended up with her in the first place, she was a return from her first adopted home because she bit the lady's other greyhound and constantly was trying to fight the other dog. Anyway, at best she's indifferent to other dogs, and at worst she will snarl and snap if another dog tries to greet her. And I don't want to give you a bad impression of Molly, despite my grousing about her she's a great dog and has lovely leash manners. She's never going to lunge at a dog or go out of her way to start a fight or anything, she just doesn't want another dog in her face. And I totally get it, I don't want humans in my face and forced interactions most of the time either!

I have no way of knowing which way her emotional wind is blowing on a given day, she literally goes from zero to snarl, so I just try to avoid dog meets all together if I can help it. This seems to completely flummox and bum out other dog owners, and many people seem disappointed and determined that our dogs should meet. I always get the "my dog is friendly!" chirped at me, to which I want to say "great for you, mine is a petulant asshole." I try my best to very cheerily tell people "she's kind of grumpy with other dogs, nothing personal", but I always get the "you're lying to me" face as the person hesitates to see if I will change my mind. It's especially complicated since Molly will be wagging her tail furiously since she wants to meet the other dog's owner, not the dog, so she makes me look like a liar. It's kind of frustrating because people will purposely slow down and drag their feet in order to try to make a meet happen, and just...no. There was a lady yesterday who wanted our dogs to meet and I don't know, I just get so tired of having to explain it to people, especially when I'm out for a solo reflective walk. I guess my larger point is, even if your dog is friendly you should always take cues from the other dog's owner on whether a meet is appropriate or not. I'm not trying to be a dick to you and your dog, in fact I'm being nice and possibly preventing your dog from getting snapped at!

After we walked I went grocery shopping, then came home to make lunch and help Eric get our living room set up for our new couch! Once we got the living room shifted around and cleaned, my job was to keep Molly upstairs during the "window" the movers were supposed to come. They quoted us between 1 and 4 pm, and thankfully came at 2 instead of making us wait. Even so, I was able to get some stuff done upstairs. We absolutely love the new couch, and have threatened Molly within an inch of her life if she gets on it. She doesn't mind the banishment though because now she gets the ENTIRE old couch to herself until the day I can get it recovered.

Today was shelter shift day and it was a good one. We only had 5 dogs and the laundry/dishes were light, so I actually got to feel like I accomplished something, plus I got plenty of time to hang out with the dogs. Since there were so few I really got to spend quality time with each one. There was an adorable Chihuahua who just wanted to be held and would cry very pitifully when you'd put him down. As soon as you'd pick him back up he'd snuggle and stop crying, it was so cute. I have really come around on little dogs, I used to not like them very much at all, but I've definitely met some sweet little guys during my shifts. It's a good thing Molly is bitchy and we're not able to have a second dog, I'd have already come home with about 9 of them. ;)

I spent most of this afternoon baking a special treat for my office (and my aunt's too). It is Carnival season (ie Mardi Gras), so I made a King Cake to take up to the office. If you have not heard of King Cake, in a nutshell it's a special pastry served during Mardi Gras season that's kind of this cinnamon roll/coffee cake type thing. The dough is braided, there is cinnamon sugar going on, then it's topped with glaze and the official Mardi Gras colors of green, purple and gold. There is a whole historical significance behind it that you can read more in detail here. The main thing you need to know is that they are DELICIOUS. They are expensive as all get out to order from New Orleans, so I was pleased when I found a good recipe last year that is very comparable to the cakes you taste back home.

This week should be very mellow and I'm actually looking forward to weighing in Wednesday somehow! I was really on the go this weekend, so despite having a slice of King Cake (did you really think I wouldn't?), I think things will turn out well. I have a good meal plan this week as well and have just about everything prepped, so it should be steady as she goes. And I SWEAR I will write a review for my stair stepper this week!

Yeah I mean, I do say hi to people and what not, I just generally don't wan to chat with random people for long amounts of time. If I'm out walking it's for fitness or just to have a quiet moment with myself. Molly already makes me talk to people more than I normally would because she's Miss Socialite, and then with the dog thing I have to have the awkward "no I don't hate your dog, in fact I'd love nothing more than to pet your dog and have our dogs be friendly, but it ain't gonna happen" conversation. Damn Portlanders and their friendly ways!

I totally feel you on the dog thing. Whenever I'm walking my dog and see someone coming towards me I pull off to the grass, make my dog sit, and tell people he's leash aggressive. One of my dogs helps me out by getting all snarly from the start, but the other will sit and look pensive and watch the other dog and walker pass by before he starts barking at their backs. It's SUPER annoying though when people try to insist their dog "meet and greet" mine. No. No no no no no, unless you wanna take a chance that your dog will end up without ears!

I will never understand why people don't trust that pet owners know their own pets best and think they can just do whatever the effballs they want because an animal is cute.

Exactly! All I am trying to do is keep people's dog's safe and keep myself from having to pay someone's vet bill.

I literally don't know what it's like to have one of those dogs that plays nicely and wants to be friends with other dogs, all of ours have been fearful or aggressive. When we applied to adopt a greyhound we asked for a social one, but our household was perfect for Molly since we're childfree and petfree (other than a never ending stream of unlucky fish). When I'd heard she basically hadn't had a real home in 2 years, I had to take her. She fits in great at our house and is a well behaved dog and totally chill, she just wants her space. I can totally respect that!

I always worry about Abby with other dogs too. She's friendly but she's got that terrier need to dominate, along with a complete lack of understanding of the fact that she only weighs 14 pounds. She'll take on a mastiff if it isn't submissive enough when she wants to play. Sigh.

Molly sounds a lot like my Emma. She won't go out of her way to pick a fight with other dogs. She just doesn't want to make friends. Just give her some space. Honestly, I think Emma believes dogs are beneath her because in her mind she's actually a princess and not a dog.

Yep, every dog is different and people just need to respect those boundaries! Ollie is a social butterfly and loves dog parks but I totally don't understand the dog parents who force socialization on their dogs who are very clearly timid and do not do well in social circles. Some dogs (like people) are just loners. Totally get that because I'm like that. I hate being forced into a social situation. Me being at dog parks sometimes gives me anxiety to have to talk to others but I suck it up because my baby loves it. lol

I am on the other end of that equation because Millie wants to play with everyone no matter their number of legs. She starts crying like a complete baby when she seems them. I only ever let her "meet" though if the other people initiate. Otherwise, she needs to mind her walking business. Happy for Molly and her all-to-herself couch :) Your cake is gorgeous.

Do you tie a yellow ribbon on Molly's leash? Some people in our area are starting to use that approach. Of course it only works when people know about it, but someone put up a "yellow ribbon dog" poster at our dog park to teach others about it. - Jaye

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About Me

I'm a Louisiana girl living in the Pacific NW, wife of the most patient man in the world, and dog mom to the grand diva of all greyhounds. Working towards a healthy weight through calorie counting and strength training and trying to have a sense of humor about it along the way!

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